France has a long tradition of medical excellence. Campus France describes French medicine as globally renowned, citing 13 Nobel Prizes in Physiology or Medicine and almost 80 medical breakthroughs between 1950 and 2011.
That being said, France remains an attractive destination for foreigners who wish to become doctors. If you’re one of them, here’s what you need to know about how you can become a physician in the “Hexagon.”
1. What are the requirements to study medicine in France?
The basic academic requirement for entry into the first year is a high school diploma or equivalent qualification that gives access to higher education. Because medical studies are taught in French, international applicants generally need proof of French proficiency, usually at least B2, unless they are exempt.
Admission is no longer through PACES. Since the 2020 reform, students usually enter health studies through either the Parcours d’Accès Spécifique Santé (PASS) or a Licence avec Accès Santé (L.AS). Applicants should choose a path that matches their strengths and academic plans.
At Nantes Université, for example, PASS is offered with several disciplinary options, including mathematics, physics, chemistry, life sciences, psychology, humanities, economics and management, STAPS, and nursing options.
Other documents may include transcripts, proof of French proficiency, a motivation statement, recommendation letters, and evidence of relevant experience, depending on the applicant’s profile and the university’s procedure.
As requirements vary by university and applicant status, check the detailed program page on Parcoursup, Études en France, and the university website.
2. How difficult is it the medical curriculum in France?
French medical education is highly selective. Selection now takes place through PASS or L.AS results, and universities may also use additional oral or written tests.
The latest official SIES data for the 2024 session show that two out of five new baccalaureate holders who enrolled in PASS or L.AS in fall 2022 were admitted to medicine, midwifery, dentistry, pharmacy, or physiotherapy (MMOPK) after one or two years. PASS students still have a higher success rate than L.AS students, although the gap is narrowing.
Students normally have two opportunities to apply to the health tracks during the first cycle. A student who validates PASS but is not admitted can continue into the corresponding L.AS 2 and may apply again later. A student who does not validate PASS cannot repeat the PASS year and must reorient through Parcoursup outside PASS/L.AS.
3. In what language is the medical curriculum in France?
You need strong French skills to study medicine in France because the medical curriculum is taught in French. International applicants who are not exempt generally need a recognized French test or diploma, such as the TCF, TEF, DELF, or DALF.
The common minimum is B2, although some universities or specific admission routes may require C1. DELF B2, DALF C1/C2, or an approved TCF/TEF result can be used depending on the procedure and the university’s requirements.
4. Can you study medicine in France as an international student?
Yes. However, application routes depend on your nationality, country of residence, diploma, and target year of entry.
For first-year entry to a public university, many non-European applicants must use the Études en France platform and, where applicable, complete a Demande d’Admission Préalable (DAP). The Études en France procedure currently covers students residing in 73 countries and territories; it is based mainly on residence, not simply nationality.
Parcoursup is mainly used by European students applying to the first year of a bachelor’s-level program, non-European students with a French baccalaureate from an AEFE high school, and certain applicants to selective first-year programs. Applicants outside the Études en France procedure may need to submit the DAP through the French embassy’s cooperation and cultural action service before enrolling.
5. What are the components of the medical curriculum in France?
The study of medicine in France is divided into three cycles and usually takes at least nine years after the baccalaureate, with the total length depending on the chosen specialty.
The first cycle leads to the Diplôme de Formation Générale en Sciences Médicales (DFGSM). It lasts three years and includes the first-year PASS or L.AS route, followed by DFGSM2 and DFGSM3 for students admitted to medicine.
After the first year, students do not take PACES. Admission to the second year of medicine is based on PASS or L.AS results and, depending on the university, additional oral or written assessments. Students can apply to the health tracks twice during the first cycle, after one, two, or three years, without repeating the same health-access year.
The next cycle is the Diplôme de Formation Approfondie en Sciences Médicales (DFASM), which covers the fourth, fifth, and sixth years. At the University of Montpellier–Nîmes Faculty of Medicine, for example, the DFASM is a three-year program combining classroom instruction with full-time clinical rotations in hospitals.
At the end of the second cycle, students take the national assessments used for admission and assignment to the third cycle. Since the 2024 campaign, the former ECN has been replaced by the Épreuves Nationales (EN), which include dematerialized national exams (EDN), objective structured clinical examinations (ECOS), and points for the student’s training pathway.
The third cycle leads to a Diplôme d’Études Spécialisées (DES). The length depends on the specialty. General medicine was extended to four years for students beginning the third cycle from the 2023–2024 academic year, while other DES programs vary by specialty.
At the end of the DES, the student defends the required thesis and obtains the State Diploma of Doctor of Medicine. Additional specialized or complementary training may be available depending on the specialty, but older DESC routes have largely been replaced or reorganized by current DES options and specialized cross-disciplinary training.
6. What do you need to become a doctor in France?
To practice as a doctor in France, an applicant generally must hold the French State Diploma of Doctor of Medicine or a recognized or authorized equivalent, meet the nationality or authorization conditions, and register with the departmental council of the Ordre des médecins. Registration is compulsory for legal practice, except for limited temporary or occasional practice by eligible EU/EEA doctors who make the required prior declaration.
EU or EEA nationals may benefit from automatic recognition of certain EU/EEA medical qualifications if they also show sufficient French language proficiency and register with the Ordre des médecins. Non-EU applicants, or applicants with non-EU diplomas, generally need an individual authorization to practice. Depending on their situation, this may require knowledge-verification exams, a supervised skill-building pathway, and proof of French proficiency.
After registration, a doctor may apply for recognition of specialist status if needed. The relevant authorities review the doctor’s qualifications and determine whether additional steps are required.
I hope that this article was helpful. If you are interested, visit the Europe Scholarships Page and Available Courses for International Students!
